How to recover after an off

[nickyboy]

Don't fear the shredder!

I don't fear it cos if I did I'd never go out.

But I do wonder what would be left of me if I lost it on a 50+ descent.

 

[subaqua]

I am coping by following the Guinness plan today.

i am sat watching the TdY getting beer in me

 

[Globalti]

The hardness of the road. The hardness of tarmac. We know in our heads it is unyielding, a solid, unmoveable object, a irresistible barrier that does not flinch under the impact of mere flesh and bone.

Yet nothing, not a thing, can mentally prepare us for the sheer shock of impact when we fall, unexpectedly from bike, or in my most recent case, longboard. The hardness of the road leaves us breathless, and quaking, as, prostrate, we reboot our bodies one digit, one limb, at a time, fearfully expecting the stabbing pain of a fracture, and even as our jangled brain becomes slowly aware that, yet again, we will live to ride another day, ride home even, a part of us is screaming "Wow*, that really hurts. And this tarmac is dreadfully* hard."

*other expressions are available.

Whatever you're smoking, I'd like some!

 

[vickster]

In my experience it's much better if legs do not connect with the frame and the rest of you with the Tarmac!!
Best to get back in the saddle asap as others have said. Keep a close eye on injuries, including scrapes and bruises

 

[kiriyama]

Get back on the bike, within 20 mins you will be enjoying yourself too much to worry.

S*** happens, but bruises/bones/muscles heal, bikes can be mended (most of the time) and scars give you a cool story!

I did something very similar a few months ago. Went off the path onto some grass to go around some pedestrians, went to ride back on to the path but the grass hid a large curb... I managed to stay on but lost control a bit and smashed into a wall. I just laughed at myself and rode home bleeding a bit.

 

[subaqua]

Whatever you're smoking, I'd like some!

Prolly same as me. I decided against putting road bike on stand today and makImg it into a commuter with Dynamo lights and racks. Not because of the pain in my shoulder. But because of the ear bashing I would have got from my wife and eldest daughter.

 

[growingvegetables]

Only answer - back on the bike and ride out the knock to your confidence.

I got pushed off by a WVM passenger two weeks past Tuesday. Wednesday off work cos I hurt like **** the next morning. Took a slow ride that afternoon - off road; no traffic; more to loosen up sore and tight joints and muscles.

Back to work on the Thursday. I arrived at work/home terrified, shaking like a ****ing leaf. Desperately conscious that 60-year-olds don't bounce like they used to.

Took 3-4 days before I was riding ALMOST as carefree as normal; still brick it if I get a slow, close pass.

But it passes.

As for the comment "your always on big fall away from you last ride...". A friend? Change 'em. Family? I admit I didn't tell the kids for 3-4 days - cos they'd have been on my case big time!

 

[Bazzer]

As others have said, get back on it and ride.
To my mind something like the accident you described is just like tripping up on a broken/uneven pavement. You wouldn't stop walking on pavements because of the latter, so why stop riding?
Had a few self induced offs, been hit twice by cars and last year broke my leg in two places last year following an off when on a night ride. Family worry more than me when I'm out, so unless I'm limping and/or clothing is damaged, mum's the word.